New project

I have been working as a programmer using vb6 and creating the databases in SQL server 2000. Now we are changing to writing web apps. I have been asked to recommend what to start using. I have started reading about asp.net mvc and I like what I have read so far. How does web forms compare to mvc. How well does entity framework work.. Any help would be appreciated

Re: New project

If you're not an experienced web developer then web forms provides a familair programing model to desktop development such as vb6 or winforms and so it's a fast way to get into web programming. It hides many of the details of web programming which can be both good and bad. As you get to be a better web developer this becomes a problem because web forms provides a huge abstraction model and it's a lot of work th wade thru the abstraction model to do the things you want.

As for MVC, it's "closer to the metal" of web programming but expects you as a developer to be more understanding of web programming. This means you should know modern HTML, CSS and JavaScript to really get the most of MVC.

So... short answer... it depends. Do you "care" about web development? If you don't really care about the details, then Web Forms is a good transition given your background. If you really want to get into web development and do it well, then it means there might be more of a learning curve but MVC will give you the control to do things right.

As for EF... it's the standard microsoft framework for doing DB access these days.

Re: New project

Thank you for the reply. I started with HTML and CSS when the web apps conversation started and think I have a good understanding. JavaScript I have not looked at too much yet. I want to choose web programming model that will work into the future too. This is something that is going to grow. We have programs waiting to be written and programs that need updating. I would like something that would be was easy to maintain because change happens fast and often. Is the maintainablity of mvc worth the learning curve or is it better to get started quicker with web forms. Which ever we start using is probably what we will stay with because we do not change programming methods often.

Re: New project

wzrdsg
Is the maintainablity of mvc worth the learning curve

Yes. However, let me ask a question: In vb6 did you work with classes or write most of business logic in button_click events?

Re: New project

Most of the projects the logic was in the event procedures, the last project I worked on I worked with classes. With all the data access in it's own module.